towards rear, struggling from 6th
towards rear, not fluent 2nd, blundered and unseated rider 5th
in touch, ridden 3 out, soon outpaced
soon led, blundered and headed 4th, remained close up until weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, mistake 5th, outpaced when not fluent 3 out
always behind
prominent until lost place approaching 4 out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 7th, outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, run-in
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, effort approaching 2 out, one pace under pressure
in touch, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden and effort, stayed on strongly to lead run-in
soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, led 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed towards finish, no extra
Norseman Cateline, West Hill and Casterflo form the shortlist in this novices' handicap chase and the vote is given to Norseman Cateline. The selection would have won had he not fallen last time out and he had previously gone close at Worcester when second behind Taksina. He is clearly in good heart at present and with ground conditions to suit he gets the vote. West Hill rates the main danger as he should come on for his first run in five months when he tired last time out. He should strip fitter today and on his best form he is entitled to go close. Casterflo goes well at this track but his best form is on a faster surface and we are happy to take him on today. Amalfi Storm is from a shrewd yard who are in decent form at present and is another with claims, but for the winner we will stick with Norseman Cateline.
Sheer Guts (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) In touch, outpaced halfway, 4th of 8, 31l behind Ungaro (11-6) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Oct.
Amalfi Storm 5-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 6th, soon ridden, chased winner 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Blushing Prince (10-6) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Norseman Cateline (FR) 2-1fav (9-8) Chased leader, led 2nd, quickened approaching 3 out, soon ridden, in command when fell 2 out in race won by Semi Precious (10-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Oct, 5 ran.
West Hill (IRE) 3-1 (10-3) Held up, reminder after 5th, headway to chase winner from 4 out until approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 5, 18l behind Lascar de Ferbet (10-6) at Worcester 2m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Oct.
Mister Magnum (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Always behind, struggling from 10th, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Turko (10-5) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Hollows Mist 25-1 (11-5) Chased clear leader to halfway, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Nicozetto (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Oct, 13 ran.
Ideal du Bois Beury (FR) 8-1 (10-1) Always behind, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 7l behind It's Bertie (11-6) at Carlisle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Oct.
Casterflo 5-2fav (10-6) Held up in rear, headway 7th, led approaching last, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 10, nk behind Ben Britten (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Jun '05.
